| Latrodectus mactans | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Theridiidae |
| Genus: | Latrodectus |
| Species: | L. mactans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Latrodectus mactans | |
Latrodectus mactans, known as southern black widow or simply black widow, and the shoe-button spider,[citation needed] is a venomous species of spider in the genus Latrodectus. The females are well known for their distinctive black and red coloring and for the fact that they will occasionally eat their mates after reproduction. The species is native to North America. The venom can cause pain and other symptoms, but is rarely fatal to healthy humans.[2]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
WSC_s39055was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Black Widow Spider, HYG-2061A-04". Archived from the original on 21 August 2011. Retrieved 19 July 2008.